Check out the 25 Best Pistachio Dessert Recipes– all of the best sweet treats to make using pistachios!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com collage of pistachio recipes](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/25-Pistachio-Recipes-800.jpeg)
February 26th is National Pistachio Day! Naturally, you must celebrate by munching on some delicious pistachios. But an even better idea is to bake one of these 25 Best Pistachio Dessert Recipes. Find your favorite, and head to the kitchen!
Share your favorite pistachio creation on social media today using the hashtags #NationalPistachioDay, #PistachioDay and #RecipesForHolidays.
Be sure to visit my February Food Holidays page so you never miss a food holiday in the month of February!
“The pistachio: it’s just like our politics. When the two sides are divided, that’s when the nuts come out.”
-Stephen Colbert
The History of Pistachios:
Archaeologists found evidence of pistachios in a dig site at Jerome (near northeastern Iraq) from as early as 6750 BC.
Pistachios are one of only two nuts mentioned in the Old Testament (5th century BC). They are believed to have been one of the foods that Adam brought to earth and grew in the Garden of Eden.
Popularity of the pistachio expanded from the Middle East to the Mediterranean. They soon became a treasured food between royalty, tourists and everyday citizens.
Pistachios were an expensive nut in Europe. They were often used for cooking in Italy, and they were considered an expensive addition to baked goods.
In 1854, Charles Mason (a seed distributor) brought the pistachio to California. The California central valley was ideal for growing. Trees were planted by the 1930’s.
In the 1880’s, imported pistachios were popular in the U.S., especially with Middle Eastern immigrants.
After World War II, the pistachio’s image changed from being an expensive baking additive to a popular snack.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com zucchini pistachio cupcakes on a plate](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Zucchini-Pistachio-Cupcakes.jpeg)
Zucchini- Pistachio Cupcakes (NoblePig.com): These are an irresistible spiced dessert with a zingy lime icing and crunchy pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com white chocolate pistachio blondies displayed on board](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/White-Chocolate-Pistachio-Blondies.jpeg)
White Chocolate and Pistachio Blondies (JanesPatisserie.com): These bars are a perfect blend of smooth, sweet white chocolate, and the subtle flavor of pistachio!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com white chocolate peppermint pistachio bars on white platter](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/white-chocolate-peppermint-pistachio-bars.jpeg)
White Chocolate- Peppermint Pistachio Bars (RecipeGirl.com): These blondie-type bars are flavored with peppermint extract. There are white chocolate chips and chopped pistachios mixed in. And some crushed candy canes are added in too for a festive look and more peppermint flavor.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com salted honey pistachio cookies on plate](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Salted-Honey-Pistachio-Cookies.jpeg)
Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies (CookiesAndCups.com): These are soft, extra flavorful cookies made with browned butter, sea salt, honey and salted pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com raspberry pistachio shortbread bars stacked](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Raspberry-Pistachio-Shortbread-Bars.jpeg)
Raspberry- Pistachio Shortbread Bars (EazyPeazyMealz.com): The light, buttery, flaky goodness of shortbread cookies is mixed with nutty green pistachios and the sweet burst of raspberry jam.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com orange pistachio biscotti in bowl with cup of coffee](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Orange-Pistachio-Biscotti.jpeg)
Orange- Pistachio Biscotti (RecipeGirl.com): Orange and Pistachio happen to be a great flavor pairing, and these are perfect for dipping in your morning coffee.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio and mascarpone pie slice on plate](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-and-Mascarpone-Pie.jpeg)
Pistachio and Mascarpone Pie (EverydayPie.com): This pie features a tangy baked custard with pistachio crumbs inside of a crunch salty pretzel crumb crust.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio bundt cake sliced open on display platter](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Bundt-Cake.jpeg)
Pistachio Bundt Cake (TidyMom.com): This cake is fragrant with spice and colorful with pistachios and dried rose petals.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio butter cookies in a basket with a cloth](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Butter-Cookies.jpeg)
Pistachio Butter Cookies (ForkInTheKitchen.com): These cookies are crisp, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth! With pistachios both inside the dough and coated on the sides, they’re a pistachio lover’s dream come true!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio buttercream designs on a board](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Buttercream.jpeg)
Pistachio Buttercream (TatyanasEverydayFood.com): Learn how to make the best buttercream for frosting cakes and cupcakes and for filling macarons and desserts!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio cheesecake slice on plate with fork](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Cheesecake.jpeg)
Pistachio Cheesecake (FreshAprilFlours.com): This creamy, sweet, and slightly salty cheesecake recipe is made and flavored with nothing but pure pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio cookies stacked in bowl with one cut open](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pistachio-cookies.jpeg)
Pistachio Drop Cookies (SallysBakingAddiction.com): These soft and crumbly pistachio cookies are made from REAL pistachios and topped with brown butter icing.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio macarons](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Macarons.jpeg)
Pistachio Macarons (CertifiedPastryAficionado.com): These nutty, fancy little French macarons are made with freshly chopped pistachios and filled with an homemade pistachio buttercream.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio pound cake sliced open](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Pound-Cake.jpeg)
Pistachio Pound Cake (LifeMadeSimpleBakes.com): This cake is tender, moist and speckled with chopped roasted pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio pudding kiss cookies](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Pudding-Kiss-Cookies.jpeg)
Pistachio Pudding Kiss Cookies (StayCloseToHome.com): Make these cookies for your St. Patrick’s day celebration or for anyone who loves pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio sugar cookie bars on display platter](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pistachio-Sugar-Cookie-Bars.jpeg)
Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars (CreationsByKara.com): These bars are easy to make, and they are so pretty! Pistachio pudding in the dough makes them extra soft, and they’re topped with cream cheese frosting and chopped pistachios.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com honey pistachio cupcakes on display platter](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Honey-Pistachio-Cupcakes.jpeg)
Honey- Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (ALatteFood.com): These cupcakes are made from scratch with ground pistachios. They are light and fluffy, and they have notes of honey, almond, and vanilla.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio pudding in glass dish with spoon](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Homemade-Pistachio-Pudding.jpeg)
Homemade Pistachio Pudding (WillCookForSmiles.com): This pudding is made with real nuts and no artificial flavor additives.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com chocolate pistachio cookies on rack](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Chocolate-Pistachio-Cookies.jpeg)
Chocolate- Pistachio Cookies (TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com): These are chocolate cookies with chocolate chunks, pistachios, and a sprinkling of sea salt.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com pistachio ice cream dished into bowl](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Homemade-Pistachio-Ice-Cream.jpeg)
Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream (LifeMadeSimpleBakes.com): This ice cream has a creamy and flavorful the base, and salty crunchy bits of pistachio are scattered throughout.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com dark chocolate pistachio truffles](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dark-Chocolate-Pistachio-Truffles.jpeg)
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Truffles (KleinworthCo.com): These delicious truffles are made with just 3 ingredients!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com cranberry pistachio white chocolate bark stacked](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cranberry-Pistachio-White-Chocolate-Bark.jpeg)
Cranberry and Pistachio White Chocolate Bark (XOXOBella.com): It’s like almond bark but with pistachios rather than almonds.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com cranberry pistachio shortbread](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cranberry-Pistachio-Shortbread.jpeg)
Cranberry- Pistachio Shortbread (JustSoTasty.com): This buttery shortbread is filled with cranberries, pistachios and orange zest.
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com cranberry pistachio fudge pieces](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cranberry-Pistachio-Fudge.jpeg)
Cranberry- Pistachio Fudge (SweetSpicyKitchen.com): A totally delicious sweet treat!
![25 Dessert Recipes to make with Pistachios from RecipesForHolidays.com chocolate pistachio cut out cookies](https://recipesforholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Chocolate-Pistachio-Cut-Out-Cookies.jpeg)
Chocolate- Pistachio Cut-Outs (RecipeGirl.com): These cookies are a chocolate shortbread type of cookie, and they look so pretty dunked halfway in chocolate. Sprinkles are cute in place of the nuts, if desired.
Fun Facts About Pistachios:
- Pistachio trees take 7 to 10 years to mature.
- Historically, the cracking of the pistachio nut was considered to be a good omen- especially for romantic relationships. Couples met under pistachio trees waiting for the sound of nuts cracking with hopes for a successful and happy relationship.
- Pistachios are known as the “skinny nut” because they are lower in calories and fat than some other nuts.
- Avenal (halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles) is the pistachio capital of the world.
- China is by far the largest consumer of pistachios.
- Today, California, Arizona and New Mexico represent 100% of the U.S. commercial pistachio production. Iran is number one in the world.